Next month we invite buddies to join us in Ultimo, Windsor, Waitara, Milperra and Miranda.
For our November socials we’re bringing you interactive artworks, live music, markets, food and drink outings, and a trip to the arcades.
To find out more about our November catch ups (and to sign up), jump on the links above.
Are you looking to volunteer?
We need volunteers! Click on the image above for current Sydney roles and the graphic below for opportunities on the Central Coast.
If you have any questions or would like more information, contact us via Facebook or email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org
Movie and Mexican
But before we arrive in the month of November, we have the small matter of five remaining October offerings to facilitate - starting this Wednesday (11/10) with a trip to Lake Haven on the Central Coast.
We invite buddies to join us at Metro Cinemas. On the night we’ll be watching Retribution, starring Liam Neeson.
Before we head to the movies we’ll be meeting at the nearby Guzman y Gomez for a bite to eat.
We’ll be meeting up at 6.15pm. To check out the movie trailer (and to sign up for our gathering on the Central Coast), load up this link.
Four more gigs
Beyond Wednesday’s cinema outing, limited tickets are still available for our gatherings in Newport, West Pennant Hills, Ryde and Penrith.
To find out more about our October social events (and to sign up), load up the links below:
And if you have any questions about our forthcoming events, get in touch: we can be reached via Facebook Messenger, email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or via text or phone call on 0411 252 228.
Out in October
As for our most recent social, Saturday’s sold out event in Clovelly, it was great to catch up with so many for a spot of lawn bowls.
Thank you to everyone who attended. To see more snaps from Saturday, click here.
Each and every week we invite buddies to connect with us for our weekly chat.
Our chats take place via Zoom. To attend get in touch via text: 0422 061 990 or Facebook Messenger.
"…. I feel like I’ve got two buddies now"
Every month we share news from those who make up our user-led team, Soul Fly Buddies.
Fresh from taking to the big stage (above), Audrey gives us a rundown on what’s been happening.
"I have some exciting news; my buddy Kristy, had a little baby boy in June and his name is Jackson. We met for coffee the other week. Jackson is so cute and fun and now he’s part of the Gig Buddies team and he will be coming on his first Gig Buddies event in October at the Ryde markets, so I can’t wait because I feel like I’ve got two buddies now.
I also want to thank Gig Buddies for organising an event in June to come and see my stage play Jellyfish. I got to live my wildest dream to be in a scripted stage play in a real theatre. Doing the play, Jellyfish, has changed my life in a strong way; it made me feel like I am a better person because I got to live in someone else’s shoes, that of my character, Kelly, who was a lot like me but had a lot more attitude. It made me feel stronger in knowing who I am.
I really appreciated having the support of Gig Buddies there in the audience. It is the world I live in through Gig Buddies and they have showed me that life is about diversity and accepting others for who they are.
Have a great October with your buddies!"
- Audrey, Soul Fly Buddies
Welcome, welcome
We’ve been busy since our last update facilitating socials, running volunteer training session and overseeing new pairings.
Firstly, we want to introduce our latest matches.
Welcome aboard Seb and Mikey (left, L - R) and Ricky and Kez (right, L - R). We look forward to hearing about your forthcoming adventures.
Prepped and ready to go
On the subject of welcomes, say hello to our latest batch of trained volunteers.
Thanks for joining us on Zoom recently, Seb (top left), Daniel (top right), Alexander (bottom left) and Constance (bottom right).
Six and out
And to round off the month of September, we caught up with buddies in Auburn and Campbelltown.
In fact, during the first month of spring we met up with buddies on six occasions as we also facilitated social events in Crows Nest, Oatley, Marrickville and Warnervale. Hats off to those who joined us for live music, bites to eat, axe throwing, thick shakes, strolls and dinner catch ups.
Our socials are a great way to meet new people. Taking place throughout Sydney and the Central Coast, we look to host on average five or six such gatherings per month.
To see more of what went down in September, click here.
The power of the Companion Card
We’re all all for raising awareness of the benefits of the NSW Companion Card.
For those not in the know, the NSW Companion Card program “is for people with significant and permanent disability who need a high level of care in the community. The Companion Card allows a cardholder's support person free entry into participating venues and events.”
While we know of a number of buddies who already own one, there are others out there who may be unaware of the benefits.
From our perspective, we believe that the more people who have access to the Companion Card, the more opportunities participants get to experience what Sydney and the Central Coast has to offer.
If you’d like to know more about the NSW Companion Card, or if your application has been rejected, please get in touch: we can be reached via Facebook Messenger, email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org or via text or phone call on 0411 252 228.
Updated details
And lastly, if your personal details have changed, please get in touch to let us know.
We appreciate that some buddies and volunteers may have signed up with us a number of years ago. If you’ve since moved house, changed your phone number or updated an email address, let us know by replying to our newsletter.
Alternatively, if you’re wondering if we have the correct contact details on file, get in touch and we can follow up.
Matthew: Central Coast coordinator (0402 708 814)
Carol: CEO (02 9419 6951)
Chelsea: NDIS coordinator (0412 145 819)
Tony: Funding and sponsorship coordinator (02 9419 6951)
Bec: Sydney coordinator (0411 252 228)
Aylin: Western Sydney coordinator (0466 389 961)
Lara: Greater Western Sydney coordinator (0478 045 121)
Sandon: Southern Sydney coordinator (0478 043 996)
Would you like more information about Gig BuddiesSydney? You’re only a click away. Connect with us via the links below.
Fancy revelling in legendary status? If so, please support us in our cause to get more people out to live events in Sydney.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible and all are gratefully received.
The Gig Buddies Sydney project is an initiative of ACL Disability Services.
